Lightning protector for boats with marine antenna



Dec. 9, 1969 E, P. BONKOWSKI ET AL 3,4

LIGHTNING PROTECTOR FOR BOATS WITH MARINE ANTENNA Filed Nov. 6, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS D m 9, 1969 E. P. BONKOWSKI ET AL 3,483,305

LIGHTNING PROTECTOR FOR BOATS WITH MARINE ANTENNA Filed Nov. 6, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS fi/MMMO BfiO/VAOWSK/ 7 BY #741726? 5. 0160467 MKMKM- 6101115 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,483,305 LIGHTNING PROTECTOR FOR BOATS WITH MARINE ANTENNA Edmund P. Boukowski, Detroit, Mich. (7701 Calhoun,

Deal-born, Mich. 48126), and Walter B. Drolet, 12840 Longacre, Detroit, Mich. 48227 Filed Nov. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 680,780 Int. Cl. H02g 13/00 US. Cl. 174 -2 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses a boat having a radio instrument thereon and a marine antenna adapted to be selectively connected to the radio instrument or to a lightning arrester. The lightning arrester comprises a reel that is rotatably mounted on a base on the boat and has a cable wound thereon. The cable is adapted to be selectively connected to the antenna and unreeled from the reel alongside the boat into the water to form a direct path for lightning into the water rather than to the boat or the radio instrument in the boat.

This invention relates to boats and particularly to a lightning protector for a boat.

A major problem in connection with boats is that the marine antenna which is normally utilized with radio instruments such as radios, radio compasses and the like serves as a point of incipient receipt of lightning causing damage to the boat, the radio instrument and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a lightning protector for boats having marine antennas which will effectively minimize the tendency of lightning to damage the boat and the radio instruments therein.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a boat embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partly diagrammatic sectional view of a portion of the lightning arrester taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a part sectional longitudinal view through the lightning protector.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, the boat comprises a radio instrument 11 such as a radio or radio compass and a marine antenna 12 which is connected to the radio instrument. In accordance with the invention a lightning arrester 13 is provided on the side of a boat and comprises a cable C that is adapted to be unreeled therefrom into the water to form a direct path for lightning from the antenna 12 to the water rather than to the radio instrument 11.

In accordance with the invention the antenna 12 (FIG. 2) is formed with a base 14 that supports a socket 15 which is electrically connected to the antenna 12. A plug 16 is adapted to be selectively engaged with the socket 15 to connect the lightning arrester 13 with the antenna or alternatively a similar plug from the radio instrument 11 can be connected to the antenna 12. Normally the plug from the instrument 11 will be connected to the antenna 12. However in case of a storm or when the boat is in the dock, the plug from the radio instrument 11 is disconnected from the socket 15 and the plug 16 is connected to the socket 15. A wire 17 extends from the plug 16 to the lightning arrester as presently described.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4 the lightning arrester 13 comprises a base 18 of non-magnetic material such as plastic which is adapted to be mounted on the side of the boat. The lightning arrester 13 further includes a frame 19 "Ice made of strap metal fixed to the base 18 by screws 20. A shaft 21 is fixed between sides of the frame and rotatably supports a reel 22 comprising spaced plates 23 and a cylinder 24. The shaft 21 and reel 22 are made of electrically conductive material. The cable C of electrically conductive material such as vinyl coated wire is wound around the reel.

A recoil spiral spring 25 has one end 26 thereof extending into a slot in the shaft 21 and the other end thereof fixed to a pin 27 in the cylinder 24 and tends to return the reel to a position wherein the cable is wound on the reel. A latch 28 is pivoted by a pin 29 to the frame 19 and has a spring 30 extending between one end thereof and the frame to yieldingly urge the latch 29 to a position wherein a stop 31 on the latch engages the frame and the other end of the latch is in the path of abutment 33 on the outer plate 23 of the drum 22. This holds the drum in any position desired. A weight 35 is provided on the free end of the reel. A housing 36 of plastic material is provided around the reel and is fixed to the base by screws 37.

As heretofore mentioned when it is desired to connect the lightning arrester the plug connecting the radio instrument 11 is disconnected from the socket 15 of the antenna 12 and the plug 16 is engaged with the socket 15,. Bringing the wire 17, which is connected to the frame 19, into electrical connection with the antenna. The cable C is then grasped manually and paid outwardly alongside of the boat until the end of the cable engages the water. The latch 29 will then hold the cable in its outermost position. When it is desired to return the" cable, the latch 29 is released permitting the spring 25 to wind the cable onto the reel.

When the cable is in extended position into the water. it offers a path for directing momentary discharge of lightning from the antenna along the cable into the water thereby minimizing the tendency for the lightning to dam age the boat or the radio instrument therein.

We claim: 1. The combination comprising a boat, a radio instrument, a marine antenna, means for supporting said antenna on said boat, and a lightning protector comprising a base mounted on said boat, a reel rotatably mounted on said base, a cable wound on said reel and having a free end adapted to be cast over the side of the boat,

and socket means providing selective connection of the antenna with the cable and the radio instrument in the boat.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said socket means comprises a socket on the antenna electrically connected to the antenna,

a first socket element electrically connected to the reel,

and a second socket element electrically connected to said radio instrument,

said first and second socket elements comprising said selectively engageable means with the socket on the antenna.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said reel is made of electrically conducting material.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 including recoil spring means for returning said reel to its original position and ratchet means for holding said cable in extended position.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a housing surrounding said reel.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said base includes a frame,

ashaft,

said reel being rotatably mounted on said shaft,

a spring loaded latch on said frame,

said reel having abutments engaging said latch,

and a recoil spring having one end thereof fixed to said shaft and the other end thereof fixed to said reel,

said frame, shaft and reel being made of electrically conducting material.

7. For use with a boat having a radio instrument and a marine antenna, the combination comprising a lightning protector including a base adapted to be mounted on said boat,

a reel rotatably mounted on said base,

a cable wound on said reel and having a weighted free end adapted to be cast over the side of the boat,

and socket means mounted at least in part on said base and adapted to provide selective connection of an antenna with the cable and the radio instrument in the boat.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said socket means comprises a socket adapted to be mounted on the antenna and electrically connected to the antenna,

a first socket element on the base electrically connected to the reel,

and a second socket element adapted to be connected to the radio instrument,

said first and second socket elements comprising said selectively engageable means with the socket on the antenna.

9. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said reel is made of electrically conducting material.

10. The combination set forth in claim 7 including recoil spring means for returning said reel to its original position and ratchet means for holding said cable in extended position.

11. The combination set forth in claim 7 including a housing surrounding said reel.

12. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said base includes a frame,

a shaft,

said reel being rotatably mounted on said shaft,

a spring loaded latch on said frame,

said reel having abutments engaging said latch,

and a recoil spring having one end thereof fixed to said shaft and the other end thereof fixed to said reel,

said frame, shaft and reel being made of electrically conducting material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,480,193 1/1924 Wyman 317-71 X 1,858,336 5/1932 Mirick 343-709 X 2,048,015 7/ 1936 Logue 343-707 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,217,563 12/1959 France.

553,738 6/ 1943 Great Britain. 740,644 1 1/ 1955 Great Britain.

LARAMIE E. ASKINS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

